Teens arrested in west Hall thefts

GAINESVILLE - Hall County authorities have charged three teenage boys in connection with two entering auto cases and a burglary on Goddard's Ford Road last month.

Sheriff's Sgt. Stephen Wilbanks said the incidents occurred on September 15; the teens were arrested October 9.

Wilbanks identified the suspects as 17 year-old Ryan Hickman and 18 year-old Freddy Lora, both of Cumming, along with 17 year-old Charles Westfall of Gainesville.

"Our investigators were able to recover...a Honda dirt bike, which was valued at about $3,000, a laptop computer worth about $1,200 and various other items that were all valued at a total of over $500," said Wilbanks.

He said all items were returned to the owners.

Wilbanks pointed out that even though the suspects are teenagers, they have been charged as adults because the incidents are criminal acts.

"Under Georgia law, 17-year-olds are subject to adult law, they are booked into adult jail," he said. "Some young people don't realize that and I don't think have a full appreciation of the consequences of their actions, thinking that they'll still be treated under the juvenile system."